Anthony V. Puopolo, 83 February 16, 1939 - October 19, 2022

Anthony “Tony” Puopolo

Anthony V. Puopolo, 83, of Sanford, FL, died on Wednesday, October 19, 2022.

Born in Winchester, MA on February 16, 1939, Tony was the son of the late Vincent and Angelina (Mistretta) Puopolo of Malden, MA.

He attended Malden Catholic High Schoolwhere he excelled in many sports, particularly baseball. He graduated in 1956 and later attended Boston College.

Tony met his beloved wife, Antoinette R. (Lorito) Puopolo when they worked together in the accounting department at Boston’s Paine Furniture. During their courtship, Tony and Ann often took lunch together at the nearby Boston Public Garden. In 1960, while they were engaged, Tony entered the U.S. Army as a Private first class at Fort Benning Georgia.

In 1961Tony and Ann were married in her hometown of Vineland, NJ,and remained a loving, devoted couple for 61 years, until Tony’s passing.

In the Army Tony served in the radio and television branch of the U.S. Army Infantry Center Information Office at Fort Benning and hosted a popular daily radio show in which he played music, conducted interviews and delivered news and commentary. During his service, he graduated from Northeast Radio and Television Broadcasting School as well as the U.S. Army Information School.

Following the Army, Tony and Ann returned to Massachusetts and raised their family in Shrewsbury. Tony worked as a Senior CostAccountant for New England Electric Systems for 35 years. Theyretired to central Florida in 1998, initially settling in Deltona. For the last five years they lived in Sanford. In retirement, Tony busied himself withpart-time jobs, and together, Tony and Ann developed many strong friendships.

Tony truly loved and embraced life. He passionately rooted for all Boston professional sports teams, but especially the Red Sox. Crossword puzzles were a favorite pastime, and he could be a fierce competitor in cribbage. He also loved bowling and competed in leagues in his younger days.He enjoyed all of the best things Florida has to offer, particularly warm weather and the beaches. Tony and Ann traveled extensively in their retirement including two trips to Italy, a magical visit to Santorini, Greece and a Tahiti vacation to celebrate their 50^th wedding anniversary.

His favorite foods were Italian delicacies, particularly Ann’s homemade Italian wedding,lentil and chicken noodle soup.Anyone who ate with Tony knew he loved sweets, often topping desserts at home with his well-known “towers of whipped cream.”

Tony was a “charmer” who enjoyed giving compliments and delivering good-natured jokes, often bringing friends and family to tears of laughter with his dry wit and hijinks.

Tony and Ann shared a deep appreciation for music, including Ray Conniff and Johnny Mathis. They also loved Broadway shows, South Pacific among their favorites.

Tony was the loving father of Stephen V. Puopolo and his wife Ruth of Merrimack, NH., Deborah A. Puopolo of Baltimore, MD. and her husband Derrick, Lisa A. Tranchemontagne and her husband Scott of Portsmouth, NH. He was the brother of the late Camille Spencer and her husband Leo of Laconia, NH. He leaves behind his brother Joseph Puopolo and his wife Joanne of Attleboro, MA.

Tony was a cherished “Gramps” to Cameron Braunig and his wife Amanda, Mitchell Braunig, Kendall Braunig, and Santino Vaughan.

He was a loving uncle to many nieces and nephews.

During his retirement years, Tony fought valiantly against Parkinson’s Disease, continuing to enjoy a full and active life while battling the disease’s daily challenges.

Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend calling hours on Wednesday, October 26, from 4:00PM until 7:00PM at the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home 486 Main Street, Haverhill. Funeral services will be celebrated in the funeral home on Thursday, October 27, at 10AM. Burial with Military honors will take place in the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery, Boscawen, NH. Please visit Comeau Funeral Home on Facebook or www.comeaufuneral.com

The family welcomes donations to the Parkinson’s Foundation as an expression of sympathy instead of flowers.